Month: June 2017

This year, I covered Houston Community College’s Passion for Fashion Luncheon at River Oaks Country Club for CultureMap. I remember when I first attended as a volunteer with HCC’s television department, covering it for the station and turning the story into a package. Back then, the luncheon was held at Hotel Zaza before moving to the Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Here’s how green I was about TV: when I interviewed guests, the first words out of my mouth were “We’re here with xxxxxx! What are you wearing?” I basically treated it as a live interview (rookie mistake) and my mentor and station manager at the time told me what I did was actually pretty common for first timers! I’m thankful she continued working with me and it’s helped tremendously ever since! But I digress.

Every year, the luncheon raises money for the college’s Fashion and Interior Design Programs. It gives students in those disciplines a chance to get their work in front of some of the city’s most stylish movers and shakers.

The luncheon also honors a fashion icon who, of course, dresses well but more importantly is big on philanthropy. This year, that was Melissa Mafrige Mithoff.

One of my favorite parts of the event is the interview with the featured designer. CultureMap’s editor-in-chief has done the interview for years and this time around he talked to Rubin Singer.

Singer shared a lot of fun details (one that had the room rolling in laughter – or blushing!) and talked about his most recent show – 30,000 feet in the air on a plane – and how the idea behind Beyonce’s Super Bowl Halftime Show bodysuit (he designed it) came about.

I interviewed him after the program at Elizabeth Anthony, where you could view his Fall 2017 Ready-to-Wear Collection up close. The pieces were also part of a runway show during the luncheon.

Another fun note: Gospel singer Yolanda Adams was there. I talked to her as well and she told me she’s a supporter of HCC’s programs.

You can view my article in its entirety on CultureMap or see an excerpt below. Stay Stylish!

From CultureMap:

With a well-dressed crowd, a sharp designer with a sparkling wit, and a style icon who was moved to tears, the Passion for Fashion Luncheon at the River Oaks Country Club was one of the longtime event’s most memorable outings.

Meeting fashion designer Rubin Singer was a great start to the week for the 220 guests who attended the luncheon, which benefits Houston Community College’s fashion and interior design programs. In fact, as emcee Neil Hamil described him, Singer is downright charming.

As the featured designer this year, Singer flew in from New York City for the annual event and also debuted his evening-inspired fall 2017 ready-to-wear collection at Elizabeth Anthony. The line focuses on what Singer does best: draping, bold color, beautiful fabrics and corsetry. And women familiar with his work know it.

“When I wear his designs, it makes me feel really special and beautiful,” Melissa Mafrige Mithoff said. “I think he has an incredible flair for that.”